Page 35 of Assassin's Prey
“What the hell is going on, Bryant? Just spill it.”
“My partner is in critical condition, that’s what’s going on,” he bit out. “I was almost fucking next. And I’ll be damned if I die over leads on what should’ve been a simple arson case. Is that enough for you?”
A small sound escaped Abby—concern. I felt it too. I didn’t trust anyone but family, but Bryant had warned us about Chadwick. That counted for something. “Tell me what happened.”
“I can’t say anything more. Just meet me. Someplace secure.”
I ran through a list of options in my head, finally settling on an abandoned convenience store on the edge of town that we’d used before. “Two hours.” We could wait till dark gave us the advantage, give ourselves time to put backup in place.
A gruff laugh, followed by a cough, came through. “In two hours I’ll be unconscious. They don’t let you walk away from a gunshot wound without doping you up. I managed to keep it to a minimum, but this hurts like hell and I’m no martyr.”
That explained the sound of his voice. Pain and painkillers. I raised an eyebrow at my brothers.
There are times when, despite all outward appearances, you have to trust your gut. My gut said Bryant was clean. And if he and his partner had been targeted…
Eli and Remi both nodded.
“Twenty minutes then.” I gave Bryant the address.
“I’ll be there.”
The line went dead in my ear. I turned to Remi. “Suit up.”
He didn’t question me. Neither did Eli when I asked him to stay with Abby. It was Abby who protested.
I gathered my things. “You’re not going.”
“But—”
“Here, little sis.” Eli handed her an earpiece just like the one I’d slipped into my ear. “Now you can hear everything as it happens, talk to him if you need to. And Levi can go in undistracted.”
Her body relaxed. It was the not knowing that got to her. I understood, but no fucking way was I allowing her to walk into danger.
I dropped Remi off a couple miles south of our target. He would come in on foot, keeping an eye out for anyone who shouldn’t be in the area, anyone showing too much interest in our location. There were no high buildings and very little cover around, so we should be safe from snipers. I pulled the SUV up behind the station, close to a heavy blue dumpster, and got out.
And immediately heard the coughing breath of Bryant nearby. The sound wasn’t wet, but the man wasn’t breathing normally either.
I pulled my gun, leaving it down by my thigh in case my gut was wrong. The smell of garbage filled my nose as I rounded the dumpster. “Bryant.”
The detective slouched against the building, his hearty olive skin showing a sickly undertone that confirmed the pain he was in. A bulky pad distorted the right shoulder of his shirt. I jerked my chin toward it. “Through and through?”
“Luckily. Ticker’s too old to be happy about the trauma, but I’ll manage.” Bryant’s gaze dropped to my weapon. “You don’t need that. My gun hand ain’t no good right now anyway. But I’m not here to take you out; I’m here to warn you.”
“Where’s your car?”
“Cab.” He shrugged, then grunted in pain. “Didn’t have my car at the hospital. Had him drop me off a couple blocks over.”
Covering his tracks. Good. I squatted down in front of him. “Your partner?”
Bryant swallowed, the sound a dry click in the quiet. “Benny took one to the throat. Touch and go. He has a wife and kids.” Bryant glared up at me. “I’m going to get the bastards who did this.”
And I’d help him. I glanced up to see Remi doing a slow jog across the street toward us. With a flick of my fingers, I signaled him over. When I turned back to Bryant, he was swaying against the concrete wall.
“Let’s get you in the SUV,” I said. Better protection. Besides, if he thought he was going to wait for another cab, he was sorely mistaken. We’d take him wherever he needed to go.
He weaved his way to the vehicle, pulling open the back door to crawl onto the bench seat. “Son of a bitch,” he bit out as his shoulder hit the cushions.
“Just a scratch.” I settled onto the seat next to him, Remi taking the driver’s seat.
